Friday, September 27, 2013

The successful and popular returning crime drama, Law & Order: UK, starring Bradley Walsh, Georgia Taylor, Paterson Joseph and Dominic Rowan has been recommissioned by ITV.

Filming of the new eight part series will begin in London next month (October 2013) for broadcast on ITV next year.

Highlights of the new series include the death of a psychiatrist who specialises in violent juveniles and a hotel-room killing without a body. DS Ronnie Brooks, played by Bradley Walsh, will meet his match in a drug dealer who repeatedly beats the justice system and In I Predict a Riot, he’ll be investigating other senior police officers.

Created by acclaimed US show runner Dick Wolf and based on the US franchise, Law & Order is one of the most successful brands in American primetime television and has become a firm favourite with the ITV audience since first broadcasting in 2009.

Series 7, which broadcast earlier this year, won its time slot on every occasion and overcame the BBC’s period drama, The White Queen. The series achieved an average audience of 5.4 million viewers and a share of 21.3% of the available audience, which was an increase on the previous series.

Dependable and experienced Detective Sergeant Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) will be joined in this series by new colleague DS Joe Hawkins played by newcomer Ben Bailey Smith (Hunted, Derek and Midsomer Murders).

Dominic Rowan, Georgia Taylor and Paterson Joseph also return in the new episodes. Both Georgia (Casualty, Lewis, Coronation Street) and Paterson (The Hollow Crown, Hustle, Peep Show) joined the cast last series. Georgia plays straight talking Crown Prosecutor Kate Barker, who is fresh from the more lucrative defence side of the courtroom. She’s messy and stubborn, which infuriates her colleague, Chief Prosecutor Jacob Thorne (Dominic Rowan).

Paterson Joseph plays DI Wes Leyton, who has been in the force since the age of 18. He is determined to get results, but often frustrated by political and budget issues.

The new series will be produced by Jane Dauncey (Stella, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Casualty) and Alison Jackson and Jane Featherstone will executive produce for Kudos. The scripts are written by Nick Hicks Beach, Tom Grieves, Richard Stokes, Matt Evans, Jamie Crichton, Louise Ironside and Noel Farragher. Mat King, Joss Agnew and Jill Robertson will direct.

ITV’s Drama team has recommissioned the series and Head of Drama Series, Jane Hudson, will oversee production from a network perspective.

“ITV is delighted to see the return of Law & Order: UK,” said Jane Hudson. “It’s a much loved drama amongst our audience and they certainly won’t be disappointed by what’s in store for them this series.”

Further details of guest casting and the stories to be depicted in the new series will be available closer to production.

The anticipation is over. After waiting all summer, fans finally found out how Olivia Benson is saved and by whom. Short answer – she saved herself.

Law & Order SVU closed season 14 with Benson held at gunpoint in her own apartment by the “especially heinous” sexual predator and sadist William Lewis (episode: “Her Negotiation”). Fans stewed for months wondering what would happen to Benson, the “#SaveBenson” Twitter hashtag gaining traction as the summer progressed. This campaign triggered some debate within the fan base. Some fans objected to making Benson a victim as a cheap ratings stunt; some were overly concerned about Benson to the point of making themselves ill with worry. Over the last few months, I’ve had to remind quite a few panicked fans that Law & Order SVU is a TV show and Olivia Benson is a fictional character, and that a TV show that can’t generate buzz is one that gets canceled.

After Mariska Hargitays’s contract status for season 15 was made clear, viewers HAD to know that Benson would be saved from the peril at hand. My interest in the premiere of season 15 was not that Benson would be saved, but HOW she would get out of her horrific predicament and at what cost. The “woman in peril” storyline is an overused plot device for many TV shows and it gets tiresome at times. But, sometimes for a character to grow – especially one such as Olivia Benson who has been around for so long – drastic measures need to be taken. Benson’s hellish experience could have long lasting effects on her and this season we’ll likely see her navigate the process of saving herself from the physical and mental torment inflicted on her by William Lewis.

Mariska pulled out all the stops to make viewers feel that Benson was in the fight of her life. It was troubling to watch a beloved character endure such torture. It also became very easy to wish that she would exact the ultimate revenge on Lewis. While watching the story unfold, the one question I asked myself is why, when Benson had control of her gun and could have easily shot Lewis to either incapacitate or kill him, that she didn’t simply shoot him and be done with it? In fact, at the end of the episode, Benson is asked that very question by another detective, and she rationalizes bludgeoning Lewis rather than shooting him as a judgment call. I would think that her police instincts would have told her that, once she had her gun, to shoot first to incapacitate the attacker, rather than taking some time and then beating someone within an inch of their life. Forensics could indicate that some of Lewis’ major injuries were sustained when he was prone, so will her account of what transpired come back to haunt her? It surprised me that her answer was acceptable to Benson’s superiors but I assume that they cut her slack since her judgment had to be impaired from all of what Lewis did to her.

The case in the episode “Imprisoned Lives” took place two months after Benson’s release from capture. It was a “ripped from the headlines" story based loosely on the real life story of Ariel Castro’s abduction and imprisonment of 3 young girls in Cleveland, Ohio. While working this case, Cragen describes Benson as still being “raw” and this has become painfully evident as the episode progressed. But, this seemed to be a perfect case for Benson to help her reconnect with helping victims, at the same time seeing a little of her own pain in those same victims. I must note the hypocrisy of the writers having Benson express outrage about the “feeding frenzy” of reporters. I hold similar disdain for “ripped from the headlines” story lines and suspect writers of police procedurals were chomping at the bit to adapt the story of the kidnapping and imprisonment of those 3 girls in Cleveland. There are a lot of people in news and entertainment that make a living off the pain of other people (and I’m glad I’m not one of them).

This was an excellent start to season 15 – probably the best premiere that SVU has had in years.

Benson is unconscious, bound, with her mouth taped shut with duct tape. Lewis kicks her, holding a gun on her. She begins to open her eyes, groggy. He comments about her big, beautiful brown eyes and notes she is still feeling woozy. She sees an ashtray on the floor, filled with cigarette butts. As he sits her up, he tells her they have time. He strokes her hair and drops his hand, which still is holding a gun, between her legs. Benson resists but Lewis tells her don’t be shy, they are past that, and she was so sweet when she was knocked out. She struggles to focus her eyes and Lewis opens a bottle of whiskey and asks if she wants another drink, and then adds he should take off the tape so she can say yes. He puts the gun to her face and says if she screams again, he’ll shove her own gun right down her throat. He pulls off the tape and she spits at him. He silently steps back and Benson. She tells him “You know what? Shoot me.” He smiles and says “that’s the end game, sweetheart.” He adds that he has a lot of shock and awe before he does that. He takes his fingers and wipes her spit off his forehead and then licks his fingers. Benson is revolted. He grabs her face and squeezes – and her cell phone rings.

Back at the Bronx County Clerk’s office, Brian Cassidy is at the desk, and he’s leaving a message for Benson.

At Benson’s apartment, the messages beeps on her cell phone and she tells Lewis it is her boyfriend who is NYPD and is on his way over to her apartment now. Lewis asks if he has keys and Benson says yes. Lewis checks the message on the phone and comments there isn’t much of her boyfriend’s stuff around and asks if she is lying. Benson tells Lewis to think about what he is doing now. Lewis says he is thinking about it. Benson suggest if he walks out that door right now, no one will know anything happened to her. He asks what about that pert little detective the blond one, won’t she notice all the bruises and cuts? Benson suggests a story that the cab stopped short and she hit her face on the divider. He puts his hand on her chest, and she screams in pain, and he asks what about these burns. He comments that Rollins is like a dog with a bone. Benson replies that he’s done far worse and gotten away with it, and his lawyer friend the redhead will accuse NYPD of framing him after the trial. He corrects her that it was a mistrial. Benson tells him to go and get the hell out of New York and if he walks out the door they will pretend this never happened. He strokes her hair and moves close to her face and asks that she wouldn’t pretend this didn’t happen. He pulls her hair, drawing her head back, and Benson feels pain. He accuses her of lying. He tugs at her hair once more, and then walks over to get her cell phone, saying there is something that she should hear. He plays back the voice mail from Cassidy explaining they talked about getting together tomorrow but the guys are jerking him around over there and he has to pull a double and don’t be mad at him. Benson stares off as Cassidy adds that he is the one stuck at the Bronx courthouse. Lewis continues to stroke Benson’s hair as she listens to the message, as Cassidy says he is sorry about this, he owes her one. Lewis lets the phone drop to the floor and comments that he guesses that Cassidy is not coming. Benson explains she is offering Lewis a way out. He gets angry and holds the gun to her head, asking if she is bargaining with him, saying they are past that. Benson stares into his face as he continues to hold the gun on her, reminds him she is an NYPD detective and her partner and her squad and the entire department will hunt him down. She says that he thinks he put people through hell, it will rain back down on him. He moves the gun away and says, “You know what?” and, after a long pause, adds, “Let it rain” as he takes his gun and strikes her with it.

Back at SVU, Munch stops Amaro and complains that Amaro hasn’t paid his coffee kitty dues since March. Amaro counters that he doesn’t drink coffee. Munch says the unis see that as bad for morale, not putting in. Amaro replies “Seriously?” and then offers Munch $10. When Munch scoffs and Amaro ups it to $20, Munch says it is below his dignity. Amaro hands him $30 and Munch tells Amaro “today you are a man.” Amaro grabs a cup to pour himself some coffee, and Munch comments that Amaro said he doesn’t drink coffee. Amaro retorts that he is paying for it, he’s taking it. Brian Cassidy enters with a bouquet of flowers looking for Benson. He asks Munch and Amaro if they have seen Liv. Amaro explains that Cragen gave her two days off, and Munch questions that Benson didn’t tell him. Cassidy explains that they were supposed to hook up yesterday but he got roped into a double shift. Amaro comments that Cassidy stood her up, adding “nice move.” Cassidy replies that he left her a couple messages and he hadn’t heard back from her. Cragen walks up and asks Cassidy how Liv is doing, and Munch answers that Cassidy hasn’t seen her. Cragen asks when the last time was that he spoke to her, and Cassidy says Monday, he left a few messages. Cragen comments that she was pretty down when Lewis got released. Cassidy counters can they blame her, they just let this guy walk. Amaro, who is trying to call Benson, comments the call went straight to voice mail. He leaves a message for her to give him a call. Munch speculates that Benson can’t turn it off and she is deep into Lewis’ case file. Cragen says, “Still…” and Fin and Rollins enter, Fin explaining that pizza boy folded like a slice. Cragen comments on the good work but then asks Fin and Rollins to swing by Benson’s before the punch out. Rollins asks if everything is all right, and Cragen answers yeah, he just wants to be sure she hasn’t gone down one of her rabbit holes. Rollins asks Cassidy if he is coming with, but he explains he is back on tour in 30. He asks Rollins if she talks to Benson to have he give him a call. Munch say “Easy Romeo” and tells Rollins to just check in on her.

At Benson’s apartment (at 203 West 89th Street) Fin and Rollins approach Benson’s apartment door to see mail and newspapers on the floor outside. Rollins thinks Benson had a tough week and is just catching up on her sleep, but Fin questions for 35 hours? Fin knocks and calls her name, and Rollins comments that Benson either hasn’t come home or hasn’t left her apartment in 2 days. Fin knocks harder and continues to call out to her but there is no response.

Later, with the SVU squad on the scene at Benson’s apartment, they find it is trashed and Cragen says it’s him – it’s Lewis. Rollins explains that he tied up and duct taped Benson’s mouth, adding her hair and her blood is everywhere. Amaro adds that Lewis took her down the fire escape, her window is open and her bedding is gone. Cragen asks if there is any sign of her cell phone, and Rollins replies it is not in her apartment and TARU is tracking it. Cragen instructs them to canvas the building and the neighborhood and to check all surveillance cams. Fin notes there is a pan on the stove with keys and it smells like burnt hair or flesh. Amaro and Rollins look stunned and Cragen comments, “Son of a bitch.” Cragen tells another detective on scene that a detective has been kidnapped and they need to bag everything, and he has to call One PP. He points to Amaro and tell him to find him. Rollins gets a message saying they got a ping of her cell in Bushwick – Lewis’s halfway house.

At the halfway house, Fin and Amaro rough up Lewis’ roommate for information. Fin calls Benson’s cell phone and hears it ring on a nearby bed. The roommate says he last saw Lewis there yesterday morning early before breakfast and Lewis took his aunt’s Lincoln. After more prodding, he goes on to say Lewis was last there morning with the lawyer.

At arraignment court, Rollins and Cragen interrupt a case in progress to question Counselor Mayer as Cragen explains the urgency. As they walk to the courtroom lobby, Mayer insists they have a vendetta against Lewis, but as Cragen and Rollins explains the sordid details and show proof, Mayer insists she was with him all day yesterday when they drove out to Long Island – in a Lincoln. Rollins explains the car was stolen and Mayer then admits Lewis wanted to go to the beach to clear his head, and when Rollins asks if he checked the trunk, Mayer says no. Cragen says they believe Benson was in that car but Mayer says the car was empty. She goes on to say she had to go back to the city and before he dropped her off at the train station they stopped for dinner at her parent’s house. Cragen asks if they were there.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Mariska Hargitay appeared on “The Today Show” this morning to discuss the season 15 premiere of Law & Order SVU, and the “No More” campaign from her Joyful Heart Foundation. Here are photos from her appearance on the show.

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Imprisoned Lives” which will air on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at a special time of 10PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Ice-T, and guest stars Angela Christian and Michael Massee.

BRIAN CASSIDY (DEAN WINTERS) GOES UNDERCOVER FOR THE I.A.B. WHEN A COP ACCUSES HIS PRECINCT OF CORRUPTION AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Officer Michael Groves (guest star Marc Menchaca) ends up in a psych ward after turning on his old squad – he accuses the 12th precinct of cooking the books and making rape allegations disappear. Internal Affairs Lt. Tucker (guest star Robert John Burke) enlists the help of the SVU to investigate, and plants Brian Cassidy (Winters) as an undercover. But one crooked cop (guest star David Conrad) goes to great lengths to keep things as they are, and the squad realizes too late that they put Cassidy in grave danger.

In 2011, Hargitay garnered her eighth Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and won the 2006 Emmy for that category. Also in 2011, she received her sixth SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Detective Benson. In 2009, Hargitay earned her second Golden Globe nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the role, winning the award in 2005. She’s also received two Gracie Allen Awards for American Women in Radio and Television.

"It’s gratifying to play such a complex character. Olivia is not only an accomplished, street-smart cop, she’s also an empathetic woman who can respond emotionally to victims of terrible crimes without compromising her professionalism," says Hargitay.

Committed to ending violence and abuse and caring for those who have survived it, Hargitay spends as much time off screen dealing with these crimes as she does on set as Detective Olivia Benson. Inspired by her role on “SVU,” Hargitay created the Joyful Heart Foundation, whose mission is to heal, educate, and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Since its inception in 2004, Joyful Heart has directly served over 13,500 individuals through its unique Healing & Wellness programs; connected over 1.5 million individuals through its website, blogs and social media efforts to resources and life-saving help; secured more than one billion impressions in digital and print media about the issues of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse; and effected policy changes in jurisdictions from New York to California. "Joyful Heart is about the courage to heal, and our programming is dedicated to honoring that brave decision,” explains Hargitay.

Through Joyful Heart, Hargitay has used her voice to bring attention, funding, and new legislation to critical issues facing sexual and family violence survivors, working with the medical community, the criminal justice system and law enforcement. She testified before Congress urging lawmakers to address the backlog of untested rape kits in the U.S., and launched www.endthebacklog.org, the first website dedicated to addressing this issue. Hargitay recently made her directorial debut with a groundbreaking celebrity-driven PSA campaign for NO MORE (www.NOMORE.org), the nation’s first unifying symbol to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

Hargitay has also lent her time and voice to other organizations such as Lee National Denim Day, Autism Speaks, The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, The Santa Monica Rape Crisis Center, Project ALS, The James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI), Safe Horizon and the Venice Family Clinic. She has also appeared in national campaigns for NBC’s "The More You Know" and Got Milk.

Prior to “SVU,” Hargitay starred on NBC’s "ER" as Dr. Greene's (Anthony Edwards) girlfriend Cynthia Hooper. She gained notice as a cast regular in the sitcom "Can't Hurry Love" with Nancy McKeon and starred in the NBC drama, "Prince Street." Other television credits include "Seinfeld," "Ellen," "Thirtysomething," and David Lynch's "Hotel Room." Hargitay also appeared in the telefilms "The Advocate's Devil" and "Night Sins," as well as the Lifetime movie "Plain Truth." Her film credits include appearances in the critically acclaimed "Leaving Las Vegas" and in Mike Myers' "The Love Guru."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hargitay is the youngest daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. She lives in New York with her husband, actor Peter Hermann, and their three children. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Mariska.

Dann FlorekCapt. Donald Cragen

Dann Florek stars as the pragmatic Captain Donald Cragen on NBC’s critically-acclaimed “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Before his 15 seasons on “SVU,” Florek originated the role during the first three seasons of "Law & Order."

Raised in Flat Rock, Michigan, Florek entered Eastern Michigan University as a math and physics major but left with a newfound interest in drama. "I really thought I was going to be a math/physics person, but I was in choir, and they offered me a scholarship in drama," says Florek. "I thought, hey, maybe it'll be more fun than synthetic projective geometry."

Florek went on to join the prestigious Acting Company at the Juilliard School in New York City. His professional theater work includes "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Love's Labour’s Lost," "Strange Snow," and "Death of a Salesman." Later, he headed west to San Diego, where he participated in many La Jolla Playhouse and Old Globe Theatre productions, most notably as The Duke in "Big River," and as Teach in The Old Globe's award-winning production of "American Buffalo."

Florek gained attention for his portrayal of direct-marketing whiz Dave Meyer on the Emmy Award-winning "L.A. Law." His additional television credits include guest-starring roles on NBC's "Wings" and "The Pretender," as well as "The Practice," "NYPD Blue," "Roseanne," "Ellen," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and "Smart Guy." Florek also appeared in the telefilms "The Pentagon Wars" and the Emmy Award-winning "From the Earth to the Moon."

Florek has appeared in such feature films as Paul Mazursky's "Moon Over Parador," Blake Edward's "Sunset," Alan Parker’s "Angel Heart," Alan Alda’s "Sweet Liberty," "The Flintstones," "Hard Rain," "Beautiful Joe" and "Santorini Blue." Florek also appeared in his first music video with the rock band Eve to Adam for their song "Run Your Mouth," from the album Banquet for a Starving Dog.

An aspiring guitarist and avid golfer, Florek and his wife, Karen, an artist, divide their time between Los Angeles and New York.

Richard BelzerDet. John Munch

Richard Belzer stars as the acerbic Sergeant John Munch on Wolf Films/ Universal Television’s "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Before his 15 seasons on “SVU,” he portrayed Munch on NBC's critically acclaimed drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street" for seven years.

"This is one conspiracy in which I have been a willing participant," says Belzer, a renowned conspiracy theorist, of his 21-year crossover portrayal of Munch. In fact, Belzer has played Munch on a world record-setting 10 different television series: "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law and Order: Trial By Jury," "Homicide," "The X-Files," "The Beat," "Sesame Street," "The Wire," "Arrested Development," and "30 Rock," as well as “Homicide: The Movie.”

The veteran standup comic, actor and author was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Due to his "uncontrollable wit," Belzer was thrown out of every school he ever attended. Prior to his career in showbiz, Belzer worked as a teacher, census-taker, jewelry salesman, dockworker and a reporter for the Bridgeport Post.

After cutting his teeth on stage and as MC at New York’s legendary Catch a Rising Star, Belzer began his on-screen career with a starring role in the cult classic "Groove Tube.” His comedic talents have since been featured in every entertainment medium from off-Broadway ("The National Lampoon Show" with Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and John Belushi) to radio (Brink and Belzer on WNBC) to film ("Fame," "Author, Author," "Night Shift" and "Scarface"). For his first foray into the literary world, he co-authored "How to Be a Standup Comic" with future "Borat" director and writer, Larry Charles, and Catch a Rising Star owner Rick Newman.

Belzer also appeared as himself as the MC at "Catch" in the Andy Kaufman biopic "Man on the Moon." Other film credits include "Species II," "Get on the Bus," "Girl 6," "A Very Brady Sequel," "North," "The Bonfire of the Vanities" "The Big Picture," "Polish Bar” and “Santorini Blue.” In 1997, Belzer starred in his first HBO comedy special, "Another Lone Nut," and released a comedy CD of the same title. He hosted the ABC primetime special "When Cars Attack," starred in the six-part Showtime comedy series "The Richard Belzer Show," and hosted the live Lifetime talk show "Hot Properties" and Court TV's "Crime Stories." He also narrated the Animal Planet special "The Uprising." He’ll soon star in the 2014 feature “Dallas in Wonderland.”

Belzer co-authored two books of a Noir-ish crime fiction series featuring Belzer himself as the mystery-solving protagonist - "I Am Not a Cop," and the sequel, "I Am Not a Psychic." A world-renowned conspiracy theorist, Belzer is the author of "UFOs, JFK and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe," a best-selling anthology considered to be a definitive tome of the genre. He subsequently hosted "The Belzer Connection," a series of prime time conspiracy-themed specials for Syfy.

More recently, he wrote two New York Times Bestsellers - “Hit List,” a non-fiction examination of some of the deaths surrounding the JFK assassination, and “Dead Wrong,” a non-fiction work detailing some of the most controversial and famous deaths and cover-ups the country has ever seen. His latest book, “Conversations with Jerry Lewis,” will be released in 2014.

When he’s not working in the U.S., Belzer lives with his wife, actress Harlee McBride, in the south of France. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRbelzer

Kelli GiddishDetective Amanda Rollins

Kelli Giddish stars as Detective Amanda Rollins in NBC’s critically-acclaimed series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," now in its fifteenth season.

Born and raised in Cumming, Ga., Giddish began acting at an early age and was a staple in her high school's theatre department. Additionally, Giddish was an all-star athlete and member of the school’s championship winning softball team. Giddish attended the University of Evansville in Indiana, where, as a senior, she was an Irene Ryan Award finalist and was thus selected to perform at the Kennedy Center. She graduated with honors with a degree in performance arts.

Upon her move to New York, Giddish quickly gained work as an actress appearing in Matt Smart's "Shoes," "Bobbi Boland," opposite Farrah Fawcett, and in her self-written one-woman show "Dropsy." In 2005, she made her small screen debut on "All My Children." During this time, she starred in the critically acclaimed online series "The Burg" and made a guest appearance on "Law & Order: SVU." In 2007, Giddish played a supporting lead role in David Connolly’s independent feature “The Understudy.” Later that year, she made a guest appearance on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," had a recurring role on "Damages" and appeared in Boaz Yakin's feature film "Death in Love" opposite Josh Lucas and Jacqueline Bissett.

Giddish starred in NBC’s "Chase" and Fox’s "Past Life," and had memorable guest appearances on "Life on Mars,” "Without a Trace” and a popular multi-episode arc CBS’ Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody recognized series "The Good Wife.” She recently starred in the dark comedy feature film “Breathless” with Gina Gershon, Wayne Duvall, Ray Liotta and Val Kilmer.

Giddish currently divides her time between New York and Los Angeles. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheKelliGiddish

Danny PinoDetective Nick Amaro

Danny Pino stars as Detective Nick Amaro in NBC’s critically-acclaimed series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," now in its fifteenth season.

Pino is a versatile actor who has enjoyed success in film, theater and television. Most recently, he starred in the thriller "The Exodus of Charlie Wright" opposite Aidan Quinn and Andy Garcia, "Across The Hall," for Universal and Guillermo Arriaga’s directing debut, "The Burning Plain," an ensemble drama featuring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger, and guest starred on USA Network’s hit series “Burn Notice.”

Pino has portrayed a wide range of characters, from the sociopath Armadillo Quintero on the acclaimed series "The Shield," a Wyoming horse-wrangler in the feature film "Flicka," to the iconic Desi Arnaz in "Lucy," a bio-pic focusing on the tumultuous lives of Lucille Ball and Arnaz. He is perhaps best known for his seven seasons starring as the laconic Detective Scotty Valens on the Warner Brothers’ series "Cold Case."

In theater, Pino starred in "Up For Grabs" opposite Madonna on London’s West End, opposite Billy Crudup in the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of "Measure For Measure" directed by Mary Zimmerman, and "The Winter’s Tale" directed by Brian Kulick. Recently he starred in the Miami production of "Havana Bourgeois" at the Actor's Playhouse.

Pino was born and raised in Miami. He attended New York University’s Tisch Graduate Acting Program where he earned an M.F.A. He currently lives in New York with his wife and family. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheDannyPino

A star of stage and screen, Esparza is only the second actor to receive Tony nominations in all four eligible acting categories.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Miami, Florida, Esparza studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He first drew attention with his performance as Riff Raff in the 2000 Broadway revival of “The Rocky Horror Show,” which won him the Theatre World Award. The following year he appeared off-Broadway in “tick, tick... BOOM!,” garnering a Drama Desk Award nomination as Outstanding Actor in a Musical.

Esparza is a four-time Tony Award nominee and was recognized by the Drama Desk awards six times, including wins in 2004 (“Taboo”), 2007 (Sondheim’s “Company”), and 2008 (“The Homecoming”). Other Broadway credits include “Cabaret,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Speed-the-Plow,” “Arcadia” and most recently, “Leap of Faith,” written by “SVU” executive producer Warren Leight and directed by Christopher Ashley.

Esparza made his film debut in 2006 in Sidney Lumet's “Find Me Guilty.” Other films include Wes Craven's “My Soul to Take” and “Trouble in the Heights.” His television credits include "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," “A Gifted Man,” “666 Park Avenue,” “Hannibal” and a recurring role on ABC’s "Pushing Daisies.”

Esparza resides in New York City. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RaulEEsparza

Ice-T Det. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

Ice-T returns for his 15th season on NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" as Detective Fin Tutuola. This is his fourth project with executive producer Dick Wolf after the 1997-98 series "Players," NBC's "Exiled: A Law & Order Movie," and several memorable guest-starring appearances on Wolf's gritty cop series "New York Undercover."

Through his music, his books and his college lecture tours (including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford), Ice-T has become a cultural icon recognized the world over.

Born in New Jersey, Ice-T quickly learned the art of survival. As an only child whose parents died when he was very young, Ice-T became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the army. His first break came when the producers of the film "Breakin'" asked him to rap in the movie. He went on to become rap music's original gangster, writing songs like "Six in the Mornin'" and "New Jack Hustler."

Ice-T formed Rhyme Syndicate Records in 1989 and released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap records. He subsequently formed the thrash metal band Body Count with close high school friend and guitarist Ernie C. Body Count's 1991 self-titled debut contained the controversial single "Cop Killer." Body Count was the most critically acclaimed act on the highly successful 1991 Lollapalooza tour, and continued to tour worldwide. Ice-T received a Grammy Award and was voted Best Male Rapper in Rolling Stone's 1992 Readers Poll.

As his politics were grabbing headlines, Ice-T's film and television career was taking off. The controversial personality secured roles in "New Jack City," "Ricochet," "Trespass," and "Johnny Mnemonic," all while building a flourishing television career. He has numerous independent and documentary film roles to his credit, and most recently starred in the popular E! reality series “Ice Loves Coco.”

As an artist, his reach has crossed from music into film and television, and interactive media. He recently directed the critically acclaimed documentary "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap," which features interviews with some of the greatest rappers of all time and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He produced “The Peacemaker,” a reality show for A&E centered on gang mediator Malik Spellman, and the documentary “Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp,” which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. A passionate gamer, Ice-T voiced the character of Griffin in the Xbox360 game "Gears of War 3.”

As an author, Ice-T wrote “The Ice Opinion” in 1994 and his widely acclaimed 2011 memoir, “Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption - from South Central to Hollywood." In May he published “Mirror Image,” the a sequel to his 2012 novel “Kings of Vice.”

Ice-T resides in New Jersey with his wife, Coco and their dogs, Spartacus and Maximus. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FINALLEVEL

Here is a behind the scenes video for Law & Order SVU “Imprisoned Lives” which will air on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 10PM ET on NBC. The video features Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Raúl Esparza, Dann Florek, and Ice-T.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Here are cast interviews and preview clips for the season 15 premiere of Law & Order SVU “Surrender Benson” which will air on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 9PM ET on NBC. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Raúl Esparza, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice-T, Dean Winters, and Pablo Schreiber. (The interview clip with Mariska was added on September 19.)

Please note: The episode preview clips are available for a limited time only and must be removed shortly after the episode originally airs, so please catch them while you can!

Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Raúl Esparza, and Dean Winters attended “NBC & Vanity Fair Toast the 2013 Launch” which was held at Top of The Standard in New York City on Monday, September 16, 2013. Here are photos and video from this event.